GTMT-106B – QUITO & GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Three Days Quito – Hotel Casa Gangotena – Private Quito City Tour &
Middle of the World
Five Day Galapagos Cruise – M/V Santa Cruz – Northern Itinerary
Monday to Friday
Seven Days / Six Nights Tour Program
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1: Saturday: Arrival in Quito
Assistance and private transfer from airport to hotel in Quito
Overnight accommodations Hotel Casa Gangotena – Luxury room
DAY 2: Sunday: Quito
Quito and Surroundings Cultural: Private Day Tour Quito & Middle of the World
Visits to: San Francisco Church & Convent – Recognized as one of the largest architectural structures within a historic centre in the Americas, the San Francisco Church and Convent earned the nickname of “El Escorial” of the New World. La Compañia de Jesus Church – A lustre of gold hits visitors well before they’ve even crossed the doorstep of the La Compañia Church, known also as South America’s Temple of Solomon. It’s the crown jewel of Quito’s historic center and one of the most important manifestations of baroque architecture in the world. Independence Square (Main Square) – Located in the Historic Centre, Independence Square – also known as the Main Square – was the starting point for the planning and development of the city. It consists of four structures that serve as the corners of Quito society: the Presidential Palace (Carondelet), the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral of Quito, and the Municipal Palace. San Francisco Plaza – Located in the Historic Centre, Independence Square – also known as the Main Square – was the starting point for the planning and development of the city. It consists of four structures that serve as the corners of Quito society: the Presidential Palace (Carondelet), the Archbishop’s Palace, the Cathedral of Quito, and the Municipal Palace. Middle of the World including the ethnographic Museum – A trip to Ecuador wouldn’t be complete without a photo depicting one foot in the northern hemisphere and another in the southern hemisphere. Middle of the World City, located just 13.5 km (8.3 mi) north of Quito, stands to honor the Geodesic Mission that established latitude 0 in the 18th century. The central monument delineates the imaginary equatorial line and houses the Ethnographic Museum, which is filled with ethnographic and interactive exhibits about Ecuador.
DAY 3: Monday – Quito / Galapagos
Private transfer hotel to airport and check in assistance for flight to Galapagos Islands
Arrival in Galapagos Islands
Baltra Island
We land at Baltra Island by plane in the morning and transfer to the dock to board the Santa Cruz II. Welcome introductory briefing, boat drill and lunch.
Las Bachas (Santa Cruz Island)
This beautiful visitor site is located on the north shore of Santa Cruz Island, a glorious white beach with a couple of brackish lagoons only a few steps away from the sea.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 4: Tuesday – Galapagos Islands
Buccaneer Cove (Santiago Island)
After breakfast, we explore the coastline along the impressive cliffs of Buccaneer Cove, learning about the area’s distant and recent history. The cove is home to a large number of marine birds, sea lions, and inter-tidal organisms.
Puerto Egas (Santiago Island)
We can enjoy a swim or snorkel amid a rocky shoreline, usually in the company of marine turtles. From here, we head off to our walk, a great opportunity to see land and marine birds.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5: Wednesday – Galapagos Islands
Rabida Island (Jervis)
Some groups will go for a fascinating panga ride along the shores while others will
disembark on Rabida Island’s red-coloured beach. Our walk brings us close to a colony of sea lions, marine iguanas, mockingbirds, yellow warblers and several species of Darwin’s finches.
Bartolome Island
Today’s afternoon activities begin with a wet landing on the golden beach of this famous island, dominated by the imposing Pinnacle Rock. There’s great snorkeling and swimming from the beach plus the chance to ride the glass bottom boat.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 6: Thursday – Galapagos Islands
Prince Philip Steps (Genovesa Island)
The morning starts with a steep climb (only 90 feet) up some stairs to reach a flat rocky plateau. Along our walk, we can observe large colonies of Nazca boobies, red-footed boobies, great frigate birds and storm petrels.
Darwin Bay (Genovesa Island)
In the afternoon, we land at this beautiful beach to enjoy some swimming and/or snorkeling. Following our dip, we take an easy stroll to observe hundreds of birds, mainly frigate birds, red-footed and Nazca boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 7: Friday – Depart Galapagos Islands
Tortoise Reserve – Baltra airport
We start our last morning at the north shore of Santa Cruz Island. After breakfast, your luggage will be taken to the airport, while you visit the Tortoise Reserve. The windward slopes of the island are home to two species of giant tortoises. After this visit we will transfer directly to Baltra airport for your flight to Quito or Guayaquil or your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast
